Better Homes and Gardens (Australia)
EASY STEPS TO YOUR ROCKET SHELVING
Gather your supplies
• 2400 x 1200 x 17mm CD structural plywood
• 50mm timber screws
• Yellow, blue and red acrylic paint
• Lytworx remotecontrolled night light
• LED strip lighting
You’ll also need
Tape measure; pencil; circular saw; straightedge; clamps; builder’s square; drill; 3.5mm and 10mm bit; jigsaw; combination square; countersinking bit; 120- and 180-grit sandpaper; PVA glue; lint-free cloth; ba en; small nail; hammer; chisel; mini roller and tray; paintbrush; clear polyurethane; furniture anchor
For you to note
• These instructions are to make 1 corner shelf. The finished size is 1800mm high x 400mm deep and wide. To make 2 to join, use 2 sheets of plywood and double the components. Join in Step 13 with glue and 10g x 30mm screws under the shelves. Fill screw holes and sand before painting.
• Work on a flat surface, moving the plywood and clamps as needed to make cuts and ensure there’s clearance under saw blades.
• When countersinking holes for shelves, check you’re drilling from the outside of the le and right back so shelves can be secured.
• Secure the top of the unit to the wall, and don’t let kids climb on the shelving.
Here’s how
STEP 1 Use a tape measure to mark plywood lengthways into 3 equal 400mm widths and cut using a circular saw with a straightedge clamped as a guide.
STEP 2 To make the le side, on one panel, mark a 100mm-square grid to transfer the shape of the rocket using a builder’s square for straight lines and drawing curves by hand. Refer to diagram (right) for measurements.
STEP 3 Clamp plywood to bench and make straight cuts from the edges with a circular saw, checking for clearance underneath.
STEP 4 To make legs, drill a hole in the cutouts with a 10mm bit. Fit the jigsaw blade, moving it to cut along the lines. Cut curved edges with the jigsaw, hold the plate flat and move it slowly.
STEP 5 To make the right side, position the le side cutout on a remaining panel, with the straight edge overhanging by 17mm. Use a combination square to check overhang is even, clamp pieces together to transfer the shape. Remove clamps and cut as in Steps 3 and 4.
STEP 6 Use combination square to transfer shelf
markings onto back of both side pieces. On the fronts, mark the base of each shelf only. Clamp, matching the shapes, with the outside of the left side facing up.
STEP 7 Use a countersinking bit to make five evenly spaced holes along overhang, 40mm in from ends and 9mm in from edge. Predrill 2 holes into each shelf with countersinking bit, 40mm in from edges, then drill through with a 3.5mm bit. Unclamp, remove left side, flip right side over to countersink shelf holes from the outside.
STEP 8 Smooth cut edges with 120-grit paper and remove shelf marks on the outsides. Clamp the right side to bench with inside facing up. Apply glue along inside of overhang and position against right side, securing through holes with 50mm screws. Wipe excess glue with a cloth and leave to dry. STEP 9 Measure along the lines, from inside to outside edge for the radius of each shelf.
STEP 10 On remaining panel, transfer each shelf radius along the edge, marking across with a combination square. Make a batten from flat moulding, cutting a notch in one end for the point of the pencil. Position batten along the edge and tap a nail at each mark to transfer the curve with a pencil.
STEP 11 Cut the straight marks with circular saw and cut curves with jigsaw. Sand edges with 120-grit paper.
STEP 12 Match shelves to sides, apply glue along straight edges and reposition above marked lines, securing screws through countersunk holes at the back. Flip, clamp and secure through the back of the right side.
STEP 13 Use a chisel to trim shelves flush with the sides. Sand entire unit with 180-grit paper and wipe away dust with a cloth.
STEP 14 Apply 2 coats of yellow paint all over with a mini roller. Use a brush to paint the flame red. Apply 2 coats of blue paint over legs, back and around edges. Let paint dry after each coat. Apply 2 coats of clear polyurethane with a brush.
STEP 15 Install a remote-controlled night light under the base shelf using supplied screws. At the back, run LED strip lighting along outside edges. Install unit with a safety furniture anchor and plug in the lighting.